15.12.2023 - Aluminium Association

The Arctic: Present and Future XIII International Forum took place in St. Petersburg, with over 2,000 guests from Russia and other countries. During the two-day business programme, the government officials, heads of major Russian companies, leading academic experts, media and civil society representatives discussed comprehensive, strategic solutions for the socioeconomic development of the Arctic.

The Aluminium Association’s booth presented aluminium solutions for the Far North and Arctic regions including a collapsible helipad, power cables and wires made from innovative aluminium alloys, pallets, and a component of a modular building with façade elements made of "warm" aluminium with integrated windows. The Association’s experts also spoke at the Forum’s sessions on supply deliveries to remote Northern regions. There was a session on the Arctic region air transportation titled Continue the Flight: Affordable Air Travel in the Arctic and Far East in the Age of Import Substitution. Elena Kotelnikova, Project Manager of the Aluminium Association, presented lightweight aluminium coatings for heliports and airfields. Such structures can be fixed or mobile. They can be easily deployed and, if necessary, removed and relocated.

This solution makes it possible to quickly and easily create a helipad for any type of helicopter, including heavy rotorcraft, on unprepared ground without the need for special equipment. They can withstand large temperature fluctuations, which is crucial in Siberia and the Far North, and are resistant to fuels and lubricants.

Among the innovative solutions is a runway for light aircraft made from aluminium alloys. This solution ensures the seamless operation of general aviation, particularly in the off-season and muddy periods, which are key challenges in remote and inaccessible areas. The Expo visitors appreciated the economic benefits of the mobile runway. It ensures consistent supplies of food and medicines to the residents, shift workers, and Arctic region companies.

Cooperation agreements have been signed for the project, and there is a roadmap for the construction of aluminium runways to improve access to remote northern areas.

The Extreme Environment Challenges: Better Housing and Utilities, Construction in the North session and The Arctic Dimension: Innovative Solutions for Construction Amidst Permafrost Degradation panel session focused on the Arctic construction challenges. The Association was represented by Olga Ogorodnikova, Head of the Construction Sector, and Mikhail Rudyk, Head of the Energy Sector. Presenting innovative aluminium-based solutions, Olga Ogorodnikova highlighted that modular technologies are suitable for low-rise construction in remote regions. Quick-assembly aluminium structures are designed for constructing public facilities such as schools, clinics, hospitals, labs, offices, general aviation airports, and commercial properties. Olga Ogorodnikova emphasised that modular technologies are a way out of "wet" construction processes, such as grouting and masonry. Conventional building technologies are not suitable for harsh climatic conditions with the extremely short "construction season". For conventional construction methods, materials are delivered for a year, and in most remote regions, this period is even longer. A suitable solution could be rapid assembly technology with metal frame and wall modules manufactured on-site to factory standards with high quality and proper assembly control. This means that on-site operations are reduced to assembly rather than construction. This approach accelerates construction and eliminates the need to relocate a large number of employees to inaccessible areas.

For instance, a "thermal envelope" of a school for 200 students, with a total area of 3,320 m2, can be built in just 60 days, and then the utilities. The external wall module is a frame made of "warm" extruded aluminium with a multilayer sealant inside. The thickness and number of layers can be adjusted according to the climate conditions. The modular designs for temperatures ranging from -40 to -60 C were showcased at the booth. Among other advantages of modular structures, Olga Ogorodnikova highlighted multiple assembly and disassembly and compliance with the requirements for permanent buildings.

Discussing the use of aluminium alloys in electrical engineering, Mikhail Rudyk noted that aluminium electric conductors are gaining popularity in cable products. This trend is due to the rising copper prices in recent years. With equivalent electrical conductivity, an aluminium conductor costs at most 1/5 of the copper counterpart. The 8xxx series aluminium alloys offer several advantages: high mechanical properties, resistance to low-temperature creep, and high fatigue durability. Thanks to these properties, after two years of comprehensive testing, cables and wires made from the 8xxx series alloys were approved for use in residential buildings.

The use of AL-Zr alloys in uninsulated overhead power lines enhances reliability, doubles the capacity without increasing the wire cross-section, and reduces the costs of power line construction and, notably, retrofitting

Evgeny Ignatiev, Project Manager of the Manufacturing Sector, spoke at the To Find and not to Yield: Import Substitution in the Mineral Extraction Industry panel session. The expert noted that the use of tank containers significantly extends the coverage of LNG deliveries in multi-modal transport, with a logistical range of up to 5,000 km. The tank container, made from aluminium-scandium alloy 1581, is designed for liquefied gas transportation and storage. The new 3 m3 tank container has a higher useful volume of the inner vessel while the tare weight has been reduced by 15%. The lifespan is 30 years, 10 years longer than its counterparts.

The unique properties of aluminium make aluminium products perfectly suitable for the Arctic and Far North regions with harsh climates.